Sinatra

The Chairman

By: James Kaplan

Narrated by: Donald Corren

Just in time for the Chairman's centennial, the endlessly absorbing sequel to James Kaplan's best-selling Frank: The Voice - finally the definitive biography that Frank Sinatra, justly termed "The Entertainer of the Century", deserves and requires. Like Peter Guralnick on Elvis, Kaplan goes behind the legend to give us the man in full, in his many guises and aspects: peerless singer, (sometimes) powerful actor, business mogul, tireless lover, and associate of the powerful and infamous.

In 2010's Frank: The Voice, James Kaplan, in rich, distinctive, compulsively understandable prose, told the story of Frank Sinatra's meteroic rise to fame, subsequent failures, and reinvention as a star of the stage and screen. The story of "Ol' Blue Eyes" continues with Sinatra: The Chairman, picking up the day after Frank claimed his Academy Award in 1954 and had reestablished himself as the top recording artist in music. Frank's life post-Oscar was incredibly dense: In between recording albums and singles, he often shot four or five movies a year; did TV show and nightclub appearances; started his own label, Reprise; and juggled his considerable commercial ventures (movie production, the restaurant business, even prizefighter management) alongside his famous and sometimes notorious social activities and commitments.

©2015 James Kaplan (P)2015 Recorded Books

Book well read by the Narrator

Story line kind of why and how things happened in American history during the,50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. While Blue Eyes lived his life. The book clarified many different historical events.

Outstanding!

I have never listened to a 40-hour book before and probably never again, but I would certainly read Sinatra, at least, once again if not twice more. Kaplin not only dug into the life of Sinatra but made mini digs, that is, some background information about everyone who interacted with Sinatra. Readers got to learn many naughty things about these characters that were in and out of Sinatra's life. And I believe that's what made this bio so darn interesting. Instead of dragging through the 40 hours, I flew through and was sorry when it ended. Corren did a great job bringing the book to life. I really recommend this book, mostly because of the author.

compeling account of a man

recalled to mind with great nostalgia
a group of men and women that defined a generation of young and old. singers, song writers, musicians, actors, producers, directors all choreographed in the words and music of a gifted writer who retells a story already recorded in history. Done in a style without guile. Creates an intimacy with readers about a history and a time reminiscent of camelot its king and and loyal nights. if life imitates art, what an incredible pallette of color Frank Sinatra chose for the artform he embodied

A very well written work!

This was a very good book. It was an honest and open story about a singer who was loved and revered by many people.

I liked the stories about Frank that portrayed him not only as a wealthy man, but also a human. In other words, you can feel his suffering at difficult times in his life. These are things that the public only surmises but never knows.

This is a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story of a most iconic singer who impacted the lives of many people.

Amazing, an excellent addition to Frank The Voice.

This is an excellent addition to the previous Frank The Voice. Kaplan's attention to detail is astounding and he ties Sinatra's life into relevant historical events very well. Truly the definitive Sinatra biography, an inspiring second book to an already inspiring first.

before my time

I'm a little young for Sinatra, but wanted to hear his story. it was well written and interesting.

An Excellent Biography of Frank Sinatra

I was sorry when the narration ended. It was perfect. This is the best biography I have read of his music and time.

Interesting picture of Sinatra

Overall very insightful into a very unhappy person ...what makes happiness is allusive and Sinatra's story shows to much of anything wrecks a man

Well worth it

I thought the person doing the reading was fantastic. His tone struck a great balance between respect and sarcasm. Several times I laughed out loud at he delivered a line. He seemed one with the author. The book was more than 40 hours long and I didn’t want it to end.

Narrator sounds like he dislikes Sinatra!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great book. The first part of this bio, The Voice, was just as well written. Both books are the last word on Sinatra (and Jonathan Schwartz agrees). But... the audiobooks are very different. The narrator of the first book, The Voice, Rob Shapiro, seemed interested in the subject and his warm tone towards the subject made it all stronger. The narrator of THIS book, however, sounds more like Lee Mortimer than a fan or even a neutral observer of Sinatra. He carries a snide undertone re: the singer throughout. Maybe it's just a mannerism?

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Donald Corren?

Rob Shapiro. Absolutely.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was very disappointed in the narration.

Any additional comments?

Thank you!